The air in the training field was thick with sweat and panting.
The training was harsher than ever…..but Sera wasn't giving up… at all. For a fact, no one was.
Warriors gathered at the edges, forming a silent circle as two figures stepped into the center.
Kael rolled his shoulders, swinging his sword with ease. "Ready to lose?"
Sera raised her daggers, eyes sharp. "You wish."
They didn't bow. Didn't wait for a signal.
They just moved.
Kael struck first, fast and wide, his blade slicing the air near her shoulder. Sera ducked and slid low, her dagger grazing the fabric of his side.
"Slower than usual," she muttered, circling him. "Age catching up to you?"
Kael snorted. "Funny. You still fight like a strategist trying to play warrior."
Their blades met again. Sparks flew.
Kael pushed harder, blades hammering down. Sera moved back, then forward and fast like a wind. She blocked his strike and twisted, slashing across his chest just enough to slice the strap of his armor.
Kael smirked. "You kiss your Omega with that mouth?"
Sera's eyes narrowed. "Watch what you say Kael"
They paused, weapons inches apart, breathing hard.
The air between them was thick with old grudges.
"You act so calm," Kael said lowly, "but I see the way you look at her. You'd burn everything to keep her safe."
"And you wouldn't do same for Zyra?" Sera asked, not blinking.
"I would. But I wouldn't lie to myself about what it costs."
Kael struck again, this time with a snarl. Sera blocked, but barely. His blade nicked her cheek, a thin line of blood appearing.
The crowd murmured.
Sera touched the blood, looked at him angrily.
"You'll regret that."
She moved, faster now. Her daggers blurred as she disarmed him of his sword and kicked his leg out from under him. Kael stumbled but twisted mid-fall, grabbing her arm and dragging her down with him.
They hit the ground in a tangle of limbs.
Too close. Too hot. Too still.
Kael's hand tightened around her wrist. "You're trembling."
"I'm restraining myself," Sera hissed.
Silence.
Their breaths mingled in the small space between their faces.
Then she shoved him off and stood, brushing dirt off her clothes like nothing happened.
Kael lay there a second longer, staring up at the sky, lips twitching.
"Next time, I won't hold back."
"Good," Sera said, turning away. "Neither will I."
The crowd clapped quietly, impressed, but wary.
—-----------
The rogues were more now. Too many.
They circled the camp like restless shadows, eyes glowing in the dark, low growls rumbling from deep in their chests.
"Quiet," the leader barked.
They fell silent.
He stepped forward, his voice rough and steady. "Without the Truebloods, they're weak. They can't hold us off."
A few wolves shifted, some nodding, others still. The air was tense, hungry.
"We fight," he said, louder now. "For the wolves they cast out. The ones they left to die. We take what should've been ours."
Growls rose again, louder this time, angry and ready.
"Tomorrow night," the leader said. "We hit them hard. No warning. No mercy."
He looked around, eyes hard. "Until then… we wait. We train. We stay sharp."
Then he turned and walked off into the trees. The others followed, silent again.
The woods held their breath.
Tomorrow, they would let it out.
—--------
In a room , the walls were carved from ancient black stone, lit by torches and a figure standing with back turned and looking towards the window, dark hair flowing down its back as the figure stared at the half moon.
Ciara woke up with a dull ache spreading from her neck. Her head throbbed. Her body felt too heavy, too warm. Her hands were chained to the bed.
The air smelled faintly of ash and fragrance.
A voice spoke , it was deep, smooth, it was masculine with a touch of feminine, the same voice in the forest.
"You're awake."
Ciara blinked in confusion. Staring at the figure ….That voice... it's deep for a woman?
The figure turned.
Ciara's breath caught.
"You—! Your eyes. It's you. You bit me, you scum." Her voice rose with anger. Then, confusion flooded her face.
"Wait. You're... you're a woman?"
The vampire gave a small chuckle. "Yeah. I get that a lot. Don't blame you. I am built this way. The voice... does it tempt you?"
Ciara scowled. "Why did you bite me?Release me"
The woman shrugged. "No special reason. I sensed danger. Thought your family was coming. And what's wrong with being a little kinky sometimes"
Ciara's eyes flashed. "They're rogues. They're not my family and don't you dare touch me."
The vampire tilted her head slightly. "could've fooled me, you look like them , plus you are in my custody now so you don't get to tell me what to and what not to do with you.
Ciara growled at her pissed off.
Then the woman stepped closer, her yellow eyes glinting. " Moonveil Alpha"
Ciara stiffened. "How do you know that?"
"I've been there. Watched you fight in a tavern not too long ago." She paused. "Tell me… was she your mate? The True Blood Omega?" she knew the answer yet she wanted to hear what Ciara would say.
Ciara's throat tightened. "No. She isn't mine, she is bonded to the enemy"
A slow smile curved on the vampire's lips. "Good"
Ciara's gaze snapped up. "Why does it matter to you? And what's good about it?"
The vampire's smile deepened. "Because you're mine, Ciara." Her name rolled off her tongue seductively.
Ciara froze. "What?"
"You're my mate," the vampire said softly.
"What the hell?" Ciara snapped. "Mate? You're insane. First I thought you were a man, with your insane voice and now this? A vampire, mate , me?"
"I was just as shocked as you are," the woman said with a half-smile. "Seems the Moon Goddess has a sense of humor."
Ciara looked away, jaw tight. "No. I refuse. I'll never mate with a bloodsucking demon."
"Really?" The vampire's eyes roamed her. "Tell me you don't feel it."
Ciara's heart betrayed her. It thundered. Her wolf stirred—deep, primal.
Mate.
"No… no fucking way," she muttered. "I love someone else."
The vampire raised a brow. "The Trueblood Omega?" She chuckled. "Keep dreaming. You're mine now, Alpha. And you'll stay."
Her yellow eyes gleamed with something feral.
Ciara bared her teeth. "We're enemies. You're a vampire, myths hate you at least i sat to hear the stories and What are you even doing? And where is this place?"
The woman stepped closer. "Welcome to my home. I'm Vaelna, leader of the Vaelinx Clan. Not all of us are at war with wolves nor care. We just… exist "
Vaelna's expression hardened. "Veyron Deuce might be the one in the myths. He's deeper in the forest. His clan is stronger, darker. He's searching for something—something in your pack. A cursed wolf."
Ciara wide eyed stared at her and scoffed. "You expect me to believe this?"
"You don't have to," Vaelna said coolly. "But you're not leaving. Not yet."
"Let me go!" Ciara snapped.
Vaelna smirked. "Sorry, Alpha. You're here for a reason. And whether you like it or not… you're part of something bigger."
Ciara stared at her, breath heavy, anger simmering—but confusion flickered behind her eyes.